Sandilands to miss eight weeks

Star Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands has suffered a serious hamstring injury that will see him miss the start of the AFL home and away season.

The three-time All-Australian suffered a partial tear to his hamstring tendon during Saturday night's pre-season cup match against Geelong.

The 30-year-old will not have to undergo surgery but will miss up to eight weeks.

That would rule Sandilands out of the remainder of the Dockers' pre-season campaign and the first few rounds of the season proper.

Fremantle's first match is against West Coast on March 23.

"It's certainly unfortunate that Aaron will be out for an extended period of time, but we have great confidence in our structures and players to be able to fill the role," said Fremantle football operations manager Chris Bond.